The Women's Room
Some contemporary novels eventually become very instructive as historical ones. The mid-century social trappings have changed and to some extent certain issues like working outside the home have moved toward resolution, but the ingrained assumptions and the violence haven't changed a bit. In a reactionary time like this, many things for women look like they've gotten worse.
As a writer, French is a bit unsubtle (well, it was the 70's!), but props for giving recognition to the role economics plays in how society is structured and what that means to women's lives.